Incredible and Fringe Service Area

**dvcod** · 06-17-2010, 12:47 PM

Please forgive me if this is a stupid question....but I live in a fringe area for Verizon coverage and am having trouble with my Incredible with dropped calls and static. My Samsung Omina that I had before was fine....and not an issue. I have called Verizon and all they said was that I live in a fringe area and to go outside if I want a stronger signal !!!!!!! Well....since that is not an option I don't know what to do. I love...and I mean love this phone. Soooo my quesitons is will the 2.2 update have anything to do with signal strength on my phone when it comes out. If it might...I may just try to wait....if not...I may have to switch networks...and get this...AT&T is fine where I live !!!! Thanks for any help that you might be able to give. Oh yes...I did dial *228..and updated my signal. Thanks for any help you might be able to give me...you folks are so wise.....Jim

**BoNg420** · 06-17-2010, 02:07 PM

maybe try and see if they can give you another phone. Also the new Droid X comes out next week I believe, maybe you can swap. I got a better signal on my moto droid then I do with this phone now...

**sniffs** · 06-17-2010, 03:43 PM

Get a Verizon network extender. Plug it into your network and bam, perfect 3G data and cellular reception.

**cerob** · 06-17-2010, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by sniffs

Get a Verizon network extender. Plug it into your network and bam, perfect 3G data and cellular reception.

Exactly. Perfect solution.

**gvillager** · 06-17-2010, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by sniffs

Get a Verizon network extender. Plug it into your network and bam, perfect 3G data and cellular reception.

I didn't think 3G was available on the network extender.

**rpfarrah** · 06-17-2010, 05:31 PM

Just to cover ALL the bases. They had you update the PRL, right? *228? That will update your phone to "see" all the roaming towers.

You might even go with Option 1 (instead of 2) after dialling that to make sure it was programmed successfully. Since you are on the fringe, your prl updates could make a big difference.

...my $.02.

**sniffs** · 06-17-2010, 05:54 PM

Originally Posted by gvillager

I didn't think 3G was available on the network extender.

It's not EVDO compatible, but still supports perfect cell reception for voice and I "believe" supports some sort of data, maybe 1xRTT..

**dvcod** · 06-17-2010, 07:09 PM

Thanks for all the answers...and is the network extender a booster. They suggested that ...and it would help at my office or home...but what about when I am in my car or out shopping. I dropped two more calls today on my way home talking with my son. I love this phone...but am just not sure what to do. thanks rpfarrah...I will try that also....I did dile *228...and got the phone updated...but did not notice any difference.

**moonnite** · 06-17-2010, 09:44 PM

cell phone extender has 1/2 like cell booster but is alot different, it acts more like a mini cell tower for home use and needs broadband connection and gps location for handoffs,

a booster is a 2 directional signal amplifier, if you get one you will want dual band, both these options are little spending but if you get good signal they can well be worth it

as for the 2.2 update it may have an update to the bars showing on the phone display but i it is unlikely to have effect on your true signal, if the calls are dropping then you most likely you'll need one of three things if this doesn't happen on other verizon phones where you are

different list of towers or prl, if you were former alltel you can ask them to push hybrid prl to you

if hybrid and stander prl both have issue, then that leaves the phone, and your distance to towers, if your samsung phone hasn't been updated in long while you can check the prl version on it, its 5 digit number in phone info, and try to get matchign prl file for your increadible, otherwise if you know anyone else that has an increadible you could see if they have same issue with signal senstivity and your distance, it is possible the antenna might have poor connection inside( this would be unlikely but possible none the less )

as for a car, they make mobile cell amplifers, the network extender is for stationary use, personal thinking of getting network extender for old man, it will help with battery life when in range as well as call quality

net ext = routes calls to internet and back to verizon network
cell amp = raise signal levels both in and out

**dvcod** · 06-17-2010, 09:51 PM

Thanks Moonnite...that was a big help. I really didn't think the 2.2 update would help the signal strength...but you folks are soooo far ahead of me on this stuff I felt I needed to ask. I guess I will just call them tomorrow and see what they can do for me. I just love this phone...especially it's size and I really don't want to go to the Droid X. I am sure it is a great phone...but the size is just to big for my needs. I just find it so crazy that AT&T has better service here than Verizon...I sure don't want to jump ship to the iphone...but sure hate my son continually asking me " Can you hear me now? "....!!! Thanks again for your help....mods...you can close this thread if you feel the need...peace...Jim

**PvilleComp** · 06-17-2010, 10:43 PM

I'm in and out of fringe areas all day. I'm sreiously considering a Car Amp. I had the same problem w/ my WinMo Treo and an LG before that so I can't really blame the Incred.

Ironically, the best phone I ever had on Verizon was a Nokia that was not sold by Verizon.

**Bukzin** · 07-18-2010, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by rpfarrah

Just to cover ALL the bases. They had you update the PRL, right? *228? That will update your phone to "see" all the roaming towers.

You might even go with Option 1 (instead of 2) after dialling that to make sure it was programmed successfully. Since you are on the fringe, your prl updates could make a big difference.

...my $.02.

Dialing *228 will not connect my Nexus One on T Mobile to anything.
Is there a code that might work for me?

Thanks!

**metalrocker** · 07-18-2010, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Bukzin

Dialing *228 will not connect my Nexus One on T Mobile to anything.
Is there a code that might work for me?

Thanks!

T Mobile runs on a GSM network, the PRL lists are pushed to the phone when you do a power cycle. CDMA networks are a bit different.

**Kive** · 05-28-2011, 09:01 PM

I just joined this forum, and have a slightly different question.
When I visit my country home, which has weak reception in our area of the mountains, my wife's Verizon LG Flip Phone, which is a "plain vanilla" flip phone, works just fine in our home. Solid calls. No broken or choppy voices.
But when I use my Verizon Droid Incredible, which I am happy with in the city, every single conversation in my home is broken up. I cannot have a nornal conversation ever.
Yes, I did run *228.
Is it just that the Incredible has a poor radio? Which similar Droid models have stronger radios? I know the Droid X does from friends, but I'd like to not have such a physically large unit.
All feed back is welcome!
Thank you.